Chapter 17 – Route to Saffron and Froakie's Growth
The cheers were still echoing as Kai reached out to high-five Blaze and Froakie—now slightly scuffed from battle but glowing with pride.
But Kai's attention drifted.
There, standing just a step behind the group, Ralts stood perfectly still. Her wide red eyes weren't on Kai. They were locked onto Froakie.
Kai blinked. "Huh?"
Ralts tilted her head, staring with an unreadable expression. It wasn't quite jealousy, but it wasn't neutral either. More like curiosity… maybe something deeper.
Before Kai could say anything, Misty clapped him on the back. "Another badge. You're on a roll!"
He gave a half-smile. "Yeah…"
Ralts quickly looked away, pretending to adjust the hem of her tiny arms. But she followed the others silently as they stepped out of the Gym and into the sunlight.
---
They left Vermilion behind by early evening and found a cozy clearing for camp just off the main path. The golden light filtered through the trees as wild Butterfree danced in the air.
Blaze flopped into the grass, happily warming himself. Psyduck wandered into a nearby stream and began splashing around, quacking as if he were a Magikarp.
Ralts chose a flat rock near the fire and perched herself there, swinging her legs. Every few seconds, her eyes would sneak toward Froakie.
The little Water-type was crouched under a tree, practicing Water Pulse. He launched tiny bubbles with laser-like focus, each one popping against a leaf. He was sharp, focused—like always.
Kai leaned back against his backpack, quietly watching them both. There was definitely something going on.
Ralts leaned in a little closer, watching intently.
Froakie did a backflip mid-shot. The bubble hit the center of a leaf with a soft pop. Blaze, nearby, clapped with his claws. Ralts gave a small, silent clap as well, then instantly looked away when Froakie noticed.
Then came the rustling.
A familiar rustling.
"Nope," Misty muttered from behind her book. "No. Not today."
The bushes parted.
There it was.
Caterpie.
Only this time… it had flower petals stuck all over its head and a lopsided flower crown dangling from its mouth.
Misty immediately shot up. "YOU AGAIN?!"
Caterpie proudly crawled out and chirped like it was the grand finale of a contest. The flower crown landed at Misty's feet with a dramatic flick.
Kai tried not to laugh. "It brought you a gift again."
Blaze actually groaned and put his claw over his eyes. Psyduck tripped in the stream behind them.
Ralts tilted her head. Froakie raised a brow.
Misty, however, took a giant step back. "Why is it so obsessed with me?! I'm not even nice to it!"
Caterpie seemed to puff up its chest and wiggle side to side… like a dance?
Froakie suddenly stood, stepped forward—and pointed at himself. Then at Caterpie.
Kai blinked. "Wait… I think Froakie's challenging it?"
"Why?" Misty said flatly. "Why do two Pokémon wanna fight for my affection?! I want zero."
The "battle" began.
Caterpie shot a String Shot.
It landed like silly string across Froakie's face.
Froakie calmly peeled it off and launched a Water Pulse—not at Caterpie, but just beside it, like a warning shot.
Caterpie responded by spinning in a circle and throwing itself… straight into a log.
Ralts winced.
Froakie did a flashy somersault.
Caterpie wriggled, got tangled in its own petals, and fell over.
Kai was howling with laughter now. "Best. Battle. Ever."
"I'm being wooed by a bug and refereed by a frog," Misty groaned.
Finally, Caterpie crawled up to Misty, flower crown now on its antenna, and chirped sadly.
She sighed, pulled out a Poké Ball, and muttered, "Fine. But I swear—if you try to snuggle me at night—"
Click. The Poké Ball sealed.
Misty stared at it like it was cursed. "Why do I feel like I just got tricked into a wedding?"
Kai smirked. "Congratulations. I now pronounce you bug and trainer."
Misty kicked dirt at him.
---
That night, they gathered around a gentle campfire near a river. Blaze roasted berries on sticks. Psyduck was already asleep in Misty's lap, drooling.
Ralts sat beside Kai, unusually quiet.
Froakie was near the water's edge, skipping stones.
Kai noticed her gaze again.
He leaned over. "You okay?"
Ralts blinked, then nodded slowly. She glanced again at Froakie.
Kai smiled gently. "You like him, huh?"
Her tiny shoulders tensed. Then… a small nod.
Kai patted her head. "He's cool. Just bad at showing feelings. But I bet he likes you too."
Ralts pulled her knees to her chest, quietly leaning into Kai's side.
Misty walked over and dropped her blanket on Kai's head. "Bug-boy is snoring."
"You gave Caterpie a nickname?" Kai laughed.
"I'm not naming it. If I name it, I'll get attached."
They all laughed softly.
A warm silence followed. The stars sparkled above. Blaze watched the fire like a sentinel. Ralts peeked again at Froakie—who glanced back for just a second before skipping another stone.
Kai smiled to himself.
Something was definitely blooming.
---
The next morning, light fog curled along the path.
They headed toward Saffron slowly. Trees swayed gently in the breeze, and wild Pidgey chirped above.
Ralts walked beside Froakie now. A little closer than before. Froakie didn't move away.
Kai saw it. The little changes. His team was growing—not just in strength, but in connection.
But nothing ever stayed calm for long.
A loud buzzing ripped through the trees.
Kai spun around. "Nope—NOPE—"
A swarm of Beedrill burst from the forest.
"WHY IS IT ALWAYS BUGS?!" Misty yelled, diving behind Kai.
"Scatter!" he shouted.
Blaze leapt forward, spinning with a fiery burst to drive them off.
Froakie grabbed Ralts' hand and darted away, shielding her behind a thick tree trunk.
Ralts looked up, eyes wide.
Stingers flew past. Froakie stood in front of her, tense and ready.
Ralts squeezed her eyes shut.
"Confusion!"
A ripple of psychic energy burst out, making several Beedrill wobble mid-flight.
Kai saw the glow.
Froakie began glowing too.
> [System Notification]
Froakie is evolving…
The light intensified. Froakie's form shifted—taller, leaner, more elegant. His legs stretched, his scarf thickened.
When the glow faded, standing tall was a sleek Frogadier.
Ralts stared in awe.
Frogadier turned toward her and—coolly, wordlessly—offered her a hand.
She took it.
Back-to-back, they stood as the Beedrill regrouped.
Kai shouted, "Double attack!"
Frogadier launched a spiral Water Pulse. Ralts supported it with a directed Confusion.
It slammed into the swarm.
Beedrill scattered.
Silence returned.
The team regrouped in the clearing.
Kai kneeled beside them. "You two were amazing."
Ralts beamed. Frogadier nodded once, calmly.
Misty climbed out of the bushes, hair full of leaves. "We need to ban bug-types from the planet."
---
As they resumed their walk toward Saffron, Misty lagged behind, brushing off her clothes. Blaze walked ahead like a bodyguard.
Frogadier and Ralts walked side by side now. Occasionally, Frogadier looked down at her. Ralts would glance up—and then look away just as quickly.
But this time… she smiled.
Kai watched them with quiet pride.
His team wasn't just evolving in power.
They were becoming something more.
A family.
And as the city skyline of Saffron came into view on the horizon, Kai knew…
The real challenges—and bonds—were just beginning.